Super Typhoon Agaton 2014 Hoax Goes Viral [Updated]

The image below has been circulating around the social networks Facebook and Twitter since yesterday. Originally shared from an unofficial Philippine Storm Update fan page, the rumor brings confusions and even panic among whomever got a chance to read it on their news feed.

Super Typhoon Agaton 2014 Hoax

It’s true that the first tropical cyclone in the Philippines this 2014 will be named as “Agaton”, but the claims about it being a super-typhoon are baseless. The state weather bureau PAGASA said it has “detected an LPA [low pressure area] based from our different satellite models but its quite far from PAR [or Philippine Area of Responsibility] (more than 3000-4000 km East from Philippine landmass) and as of now, there is no enough proof to conclude that this will turn into a super typhoon like Typhoon Yolanda.”

PAGASA Cyclone Update – MTSAT, Jan 2, 2014

PAGASA Cyclone Update – MTSAT, Jan 3, 2014

While PAGASA didn’t release update about this LPA until around 9AM this morning, satellite imagery on Project NOAH as of 11:25PM last night showed the LPA development imminent. But until enough proof and data are available, this is not Typhoon or Super Typhoon Agaton just yet! [via]

PAGASA Cyclone Update – MTSAT, Jan 8, 2014

Update 1, Jan. 8, 2014, 9AM: Pagasa said “a possible typhoon (not a super typhoon) may make landfall over Caraga and Davao in Mindanao this Saturday after entering the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow, Friday. It will be named Agaton, the first for 2014. [via]